£50K for jobs in former mining towns

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has launched a £50,000 job creation challenge to would-be-entrepreneurs in Scotland’s former mining towns and villages.

The Trust has worked with many local organisations in and around Levenmouth, with MyBus among the most recent.

The Coalfields Community Challenge seeks to identify up to 10 individuals or recently launched social enterprises, and help them to create new businesses and jobs.

Finalists will receive six months business support, training and mentoring and the chance to pitch against each other for a share of the £50,000 award fund.

Nicky Wilson, Scottish trustee and vice-chair of the Trust said: “Over the last two years the Challenge has uncovered some very talented entrepreneurs who have created around a dozen new jobs in former mining towns and villages.

“We are confident there are plenty more budding entrepreneurs still out there, with the drive and determination to launch their own business and help tackle joblessness in their local communities.”

He added: “A recent study we commissioned showed deprivation levels are still higher in Scotland’s mining communities than the rest of the country and worklessness is the biggest problem they face. Our track record shows the Coalfields Community Challenge is a really effective way to tackle these issues.”